3 arrested in Dunnellon raids after undercover drug operation

Law enforcement agencies raided three homes early Tuesday in connection with an undercover drug operation and confiscated drugs, guns and cash, and arrested three men.

By Austin L. MillerStaff writer

DUNNELLON – Law enforcement agencies raided three homes early Tuesday in connection with an undercover drug operation and confiscated drugs, guns and cash, and arrested three men.

Capt. Mike Scroble of the Ocala Police Department, head of the Unified Drug Enforcement Strike Team, said Tuesday that Dunnellon Police Department officials had received complaints about drugs being sold out of residences in the area of West McKinney Avenue. Around 5 a.m., strike team agents, with assistance from the Marion County Sheriff's Office, the OPD SWAT Team and DPD officers, executed three search warrants at residences on the street.

Arrested were:

- Rubin Jones, 56, 20690 W. McKinney Ave., charged with two counts each of sale and possession of cocaine, one count of possession of cocaine with intent to sell within 1,000 feet of a school and tampering with evidence.

- Joseph Vickers, 35, 20717 W. McKinney Ave., charged with two counts each of sale and possession of oxycodone, one count of possession of cocaine with intent to sell within 1,000 feet of a school, two counts of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and one count of possession of alprazolam.

- Charles Thomas Jr., 39, also of 20717 W. McKinney Ave., charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

Seized from the two homes were $18,826 in cash, 10 grams of crack cocaine, 3.5 grams of powder cocaine, pills and four guns.

At the third residence, at 20701 W. McKinney Ave., officials didn't find any people but said the place appeared to be a “stash house” based on a large amount of property found inside. The MCSO Property Crimes Unit will investigate to see whether or not the items were stolen.

“We're pleased with the cooperative efforts of all the agencies involved that contributed to the success of this operation,” Scroble said.